Preprayer Week 2 – David Nasser

Overview:

Pre-Prayer – “Teach us to pray” (Luke 11)

The work of preparation begins with destruction before there can be construction. In most cases the preparing work of the Holy Spirit means destroying the junk within our hearts and lives in order to make us ready for His constructing work. Take heart, both the destructive work and the constructive work of Jesus is love in action. He does not just wreck a life and then leave them in ruins rather once the destruction process is finished, then, and only then, does He begin the beautiful construction process of making us all that He wants us to be.

Verses:

Matthew 6:5-8

Intent of Prayer (Presence): 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Intentionality of Prayer (Sacred Space): 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Intensity of Prayer (Persistence): 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Definition : intensity: Highly concentrated. having or showing strong feelings or highly concentrated passion; extremely earnest; seriously persistent.

Colossians 4:2 be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, always giving thanks.

Quotes:

Qualified teacher – Mark 1:35 – “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Definition: “True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that – prayer is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth” Charles Spurgeon

“Even when you forget to pray, God has not forgotten your prayer”.

“Dependent conversation with God” – Martin Luther)

“God wants us to pray with intensity in devotion (not necessarily emotion)”.

“Persistence is a virtue / pestering is a vice”

“Not vein repetition but repetition”

“In prayer, we are not informing god, he is transforming us.”

“Has it ever occurred to you that nothing occurs to god?”

“Testing comes before treasure” & “There is always stressing before blessing.” Rick Warren

“God knows every sin that you have ever committed and He knows every sin that you are ever going to commit and yet He is still committed to you”. Pastor David

Questions:

Pastor David reminded us about the importance of being intentional with our prayer time.

1) What are some practical ways that you can be more intentional with it?

In Matthew 6:7, Jesus says to “not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do,”

2) What are some “vain repetitions” that you feel you have religiously prayed?

3) What is something for which you have often prayed? Have you continued to pray and intentionally conversed with God about it?

4) Our prayer life can encourage others, what answered prayer request can you share that can inspire someone else?

5) What are ways that you can make sure your heart is in the right place when you begin to pray?

6) What are things that hinder the persistence of your prayer life?

Colossians 4:2 says “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving,”

7) What does the quote “testing comes before treasure,” mean to you?